From symptom surveys to cubicles to cleaning protocols to new apps, COVID-19 has business leaders scrambling to implement a myriad of strategies that will enable the safe return of their employees to the workplace. In order to return, companies must improve their cleaning practices, ensure social distancing is possible, and put employee safety first while also balancing … [More]
Mora Italian: Convivial Dining Destination
Power lunch moves to evening … One of the cornerstones of my career has been the belief that a table surrounded by good friends and a spread of soulful food makes for a great gathering. This, along with the desire to bring elevated Italian cuisine to the Valley, was one of the driving forces behind the creation of Mora Italian in Phoenix. Mora is a modern osteria with a … [More]
From Paycheck to Purpose
For those who question: “Does the work you do matter to you? Are you unsure what you want to do for a living? Are you in the right place but looking to advance?” No matter where we are in our career, we were born to do work we love. National bestselling author and career expert Ken Coleman was stuck in an unfulfilling career until he realized he didn’t have to be. In his latest … [More]
Ignite
Every entrepreneur starts with the same fears, doubts and anxieties about turning that small spark of an idea into a flaming success. From business planning to balancing well-being and hectic life schedules, this book breaks down the seemingly impossible journey into small manageable steps that can be covered over a matter of weeks, months or even years. Readers can use the … [More]
The Performance Curve
Many of us are striving to reach our full potential at work and beyond — to achieve our goals, rise to challenges and connect well with others. But how can we actively develop our performance while also taking care of our well-being and life satisfaction? The Performance Curve is a bold new holistic guide that effectively tackles this challenge, providing practical insights … [More]
Banking: The Pillar of Community
“Banks are the single most important component of Arizona’s economy. Not only do they lend to Arizonans, but they employ nearly 50,000 Arizonans, reinvesting in their communities and providing financial and social stability in their markets. Bankers educate young adults on the importance of financial responsibility. Bankers donate significant time and money to charities. Banks … [More]
Mike Thorell
After graduating from the University of Arizona with degrees in finance and real estate, Mike Thorell began his career in banking in 1989 as a special assets officer at a small savings and loan in Scottsdale, Arizona. He never really dreamed of being a banker, but he needed a job after graduation! And to make things more challenging, he started his banking career in the middle … [More]
Trish Stark
First Western Trust believes every client is unique. Since 2002, we’ve used a team approach to build a customized plan to clients’ banking, wealth management, lending and investment management goals. Through a branded network of private boutique offices, we deliver the sophistication of a large financial institution along with the personalization of a private bank to best serve … [More]
Jeff Friesen
Jeff Friesen is the Southwest Region president for Enterprise Bank & Trust. In this expanded role, Friesen is responsible for Arizona; Albuquerque, N.M.; and Enterprise’s growing presence in Las Vegas. He is responsible for overseeing current clients’ business and personal banking needs and generating new commercial loan relationships. Friesen is also responsible for … [More]
Amber Welch
Metro Phoenix Bank (MPB) is celebrating its 14th anniversary serving the Phoenix business community and has, along the way, achieved several notable awards. According to S&P Global Market Intelligence, based on 2020 data, Metro Phoenix Bank ranked in the top 1% of community banks and thrifts under $3 billion in assets (ranking 30th among 4,287 banks nationwide). Based on Q1 … [More]
Ken Bauer
Ken Bauer is OneAZ Credit Union’s executive vice president and chief lending officer. Bauer is a veteran in the banking industry, with more than 20 years of experience working with banking institutions of all sizes. For the past six years, his depth of knowledge has been focused on the credit union movement. Two years ago, that shift toward credit unions brought him to Arizona … [More]
Todd Gerber
While big and regional banks are centralizing services for mid-sized commercial customers, WaFd Bank is going against the trend and providing more localized services and bankers to commercial customers. Using a relationship-based business model, WaFd Bank has found a solution that is built for business and produces the best results for customers across a range of … [More]
From the President’s Perch …
For those of you who have indulged in branding, you know how tough this process is. We just finished a photo shoot that was highly stylized. You will see it on these pages. We all are wearing black with white button-down shirts and red shoes. It represents a shot of unity. And yet, each of us has our own spin on how we put this look together. We used knoodle. Full … [More]
Ask the Sales Trainer …
Dear Tish, I don’t want to make sales calls because I don’t want to come off salesy. From Squeamish salesperson Dear Squeamish, I believe “salesy” is a mindset. What I mean is that your fear, your experience, or your expectation may cause you to believe that others will perceive you as insincere and/or aggressive when you are presenting your products or … [More]
Looking to run a better business?
National Association has launched its mentoring program for current and aspiring business owners looking to increase general business knowledge. The program, run by seasoned entrepreneurs Ronit Urman and Suzi Glover, will take the select group of businesswomen in a program that teaches the fundamentals and pairs education with a support system. The program runs from November … [More]
Unexpected Gifts in the Ugliest Giftwrap
Over the past 20 months, small business owners and entrepreneurs have been on an ever-changing roller coaster ride of emotions, obstacles, victories and defeats. Some business owners’ tracks have run in parallel while others have sharply turned in a completely contrasting direction, but one factor remains true: As we continue to deal with all of the aspects of the Coronavirus, … [More]
Your Voice in D.C.
It is important that women business owners have their voices heard in Washington, D.C., and here in Arizona. According to the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, “Women-led small businesses help boost economic growth and create jobs. There are more than 11.3 million women-owned businesses in America — representing 38 percent of all firms and … [More]
5 Easy Ways to Protect Yourself in a Commercial Lease
The pandemic has created an influx of people looking into residential and commercial real estate investment. Here are some useful tidbits as you look for a commercial lease: Know your clauses. In most instances, a force majeure clause in a commercial lease allows for either a temporary delay or a complete excuse of certain landlord obligations and/or tenant obligations … [More]
